2026 Endorsed Candidates
Tim Alexander - Congressional District 2
Sean Riggin - Sheriff
“I’ve spent my 25-year law enforcement career working directly with residents to make our communities safer,” said Sean Riggin. “Public safety starts with listening, showing up, and building real relationships. That’s how we made progress in Pleasantville, and that’s the kind of leadership I want to bring to the Sheriff’s Office.”
Riggin spent six years as the Chief of the Pleasantville Police Department. Under his leadership, he reduced crime, created the area’s first Police–Community Advisory Committee to support collaborative strategy and service evaluation, and led a successful referendum to bring the citywide gunshot-detection technology “ShotSpotter” to Pleasantville. Currently, Riggin is the Director of Public Safety for the City of Atlantic City, where he oversees over 500 professional first responders across the Police and Fire Departments, the Beach Patrol, and other public safety divisions.
Before his career in law enforcement, Riggin served in the United States Army, including service in Bosnia in 1996. Riggin grew up in Atlantic City and currently lives in Hamilton Township with his wife and two children.
“I look forward to campaigning across all 23 towns in Atlantic County and hearing directly from residents about their concerns,” said Riggin. “We need to bring people together to strengthen every community in Atlantic County.”
Lisa Bender - Atlantic County Clerk
“The Trump Administration has made a concerted effort to attack voting rights,” said Bender. “Trump wants to eliminate Vote by Mail, require two forms of identification to vote, and unconstitutionally nationalize our elections. I’m running for Atlantic County Clerk because we need courageous election officials across the country who will stand up for voting rights.”
Bender is a small business owner, environmental expert, and real estate agent. She earned a master’s degree in marine science from the University of South Florida and a bachelor’s degree in geology from Vanderbilt University. Her passion for sustainability led her to community service activities. She frequently organizes community outreach projects as a leader in the Somers Point Democratic Club, led the Somers Point Environmental Commission for nine years, and served Boy Scouts of America as a Cub Scout leader. Lisa and her husband Bob live in Somers Point and have two children.
“For years, Atlantic County has been an embarrassment when it comes to our election integrity,” said Bender. “From not certifying elections on time to egregious errors in the printing of mail-in ballots to forgetting provisional ballots on Election Day, the people of Atlantic County have been greatly inconvenienced. We have to get our act together, guarantee voting rights, and make sure we have free and fair elections in Atlantic County.”
Kyle Gornick - Cty. Commissioner At-Large
Gornick, a Public Policy Specialist with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, is running for Atlantic County Commissioner to create new opportunities for residents and revitalize the local economy. The son of a single mother, he faced early life challenges that shaped his determination to serve his community. With a background in workforce development policy and as a current member of the Atlantic City Planning Board, Gornick brings practical experience in building job pipelines and advancing local development to a campaign focused on expanding opportunity across Atlantic County.
Jonathan Marcellus - Cty. Commissioner At-Large
Marcellus, who immigrated from Haiti and became a United States citizen, began his career as a dishwasher at a hotel in North Jersey and, after moving to the Atlantic City area, worked his way up from security officer to supervisor in housekeeping and food and beverage, as well as shift manager in restaurant services. In 2014, he founded Marcellus Integrity Multi Services, a small business providing income tax preparation, accounting, and consulting services to residents and local businesses. Beyond his professional work, Marcellus is deeply involved in the community, serving as a board member at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Pleasantville, one of the area’s largest congregations. He holds a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a doctorate from Walden University.
Richard Healey - Commissioner District 3
Healey is an experienced educator and organizational leader with a career spanning higher education and senior human resources leadership. He has held executive roles in Organizational Development and Human Resources, including Vice President of Human Resources at VerTek LLC, where he led leadership development, workforce planning, and performance management initiatives.
The 3rd County Commissioner District covers election districts within Egg Harbor Township (Districts 2-9, 11, 12, 17-22) and Hamilton Township (Districts 4, 7-11 & 13).